Harlowton, Montana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harlowton, Montana had a total population of 1,058, the 88th largest city in Montana, with a median household income of $55,600, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Harlowton Quick Facts
How Harlowton Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,054 | 1,058 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $53,750 | $55,600 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $178,800 | $180,500 | +1.0% |
How Harlowton Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 29 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Harlowton Rankings in Montana
Explore Montana Rankings
Other Cities in Wheatland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judith Gap | 140 | N/A | 28.6% | $110,100 |
| Martinsdale Colony | 57 | N/A | 45.6% | N/A |
| Springwater Colony | 42 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Shawmut | 36 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Twodot | 11 | N/A | 63.6% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Harlowton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaughn | 1,002 | $56,250 | $175,300 | 16.4% | 8.7% |
| Hays | 1,009 | $52,250 | $59,200 | 15.6% | 23.7% |
| Marion | 1,037 | $65,250 | $431,500 | 11.3% | 5.9% |
| Sun Prairie | 1,171 | $55,688 | $164,100 | 27.6% | 9.9% |
| Rocky Boy West | 1,007 | $63,125 | $103,600 | 14.9% | 36.1% |
Population Overview
Harlowton is a small community located in Montana, within Wheatland County. The total population is 1,058. It ranks as the 88th most populous out of 475 Census-designated places in Montana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harlowton is 50.5 years. This is 25% higher than the state median of 40.4 years. 12.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harlowton is $55,600. This is 23% lower than the state median of $72,509. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.6%. This is 62% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.5%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Harlowton, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $180,500. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $375,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 75.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 69.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Harlowton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.8%.
Education
19.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harlowton, Montana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Montana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in Montana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Harlowton, Montana?
Harlowton, Montana has a population of 1,058 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harlowton, MT?
The median household income in Harlowton is $55,600, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harlowton, MT?
The poverty rate in Harlowton is 18.6%. This means approximately 192 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harlowton, Montana?
Harlowton's population is 93.5% White, 0.0% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harlowton, MT?
The median home value in Harlowton is $180,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Harlowton, Montana?
19.6% of adults (25+) in Harlowton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.